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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem (Part 1)

December 3, 2024 | S

Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Back To Bethlehem (Part 1) | December 3, 2024
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church
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  • Of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Every year at christmas, christians around the world
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  • Pause to celebrate the birth of our savior jesus christ.
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  • But often, the busyness of the holiday season distracts us
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  • From its true meaning.
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  • Today we'll stop to remember the remarkable story of jesus's
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  • Birth, and the beauty of god's plan to redeem mankind.
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  • As we reflect on these timeless truths, we're reminded
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  • To keep our eyes on jesus in every season of the year.
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  • I've titled today's message "back to bethlehem"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:00:51.608 --> 00:00:56.312
  • Announcer: the celebration of jesus's birth each christmas
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  • Marks the moment when god's radiant hope entered our world,
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  • And jesus calls us to share this light with others.
  • 00:01:06.856 --> 00:01:09.425
  • You can help pierce the darkness with the light of god's word
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  • Through the pathway to victory light the darkness
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  • Matching challenge.
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  • Since 1996, "pathway to victory"
  • 00:01:16.266 --> 00:01:18.268
  • Has been boldly sharing
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  • The gospel of jesus christ,
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  • And your gift,
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  • Doubled in impact,
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  • Will be used to proclaim
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  • God's truth here in america
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  • And around the world.
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: i think about the story of the little girl who
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  • Was learning to pray what we call the lord's prayer.
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  • One night her dad walked past the bedroom, the door was
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  • Opened, he saw his little girl kneeling by the bed and praying
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  • The lord's prayer and he heard her say, "and lord forgive us of
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  • Our christmases as we forgive those who christmas against us."
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  • Maybe you feel like you've been christmas against, by the time
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  • Christmas finally arrives.
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  • You know it's trite, but it's nevertheless true.
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  • So many times the distractions of the holiday season cause us
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  • To lose sight of what christmas is really about, the entrance of
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  • The savior of the world into the world.
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  • And so today, i'm gonna invite you to take your bibles and turn
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  • Back to luke chapter 2 as we take a journey back to
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  • Bethlehem, to talk about the most important birth in human
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  • History.
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  • Now i want you to think of luke's account of this birth as
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  • A play in three different acts.
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  • Michael, this is a three act play.
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  • And it begins act one, not in bethlehem, but it occurs
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  • Hundreds of miles away from bethlehem in the seat of world
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  • Power.
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  • Then it wasn't new york city or washington dc, the seat of world
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  • Power was rome.
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  • The story begins, you know it well.
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  • "now in those days a decree went out from caesar augustus, that
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  • A census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
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  • This was the first census taken while quirinius was governor of
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  • Syria."
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  • Now why does luke give us all of this historical background?
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  • Remember, he was writing this as a letter to a man named
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  • Theophilus, lover of god, probably a recent convert.
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  • And he was trying to show theophilus that the story of
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  • Christianity is not rooted in fantasy or fable, it is rooted
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  • In historical fact.
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  • And the setting for this story is something everyone was well
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  • Aware of when luke wrote this letter.
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  • Sixty years earlier, luke reminded theophilus, 60 years
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  • Earlier, "caesar augustus, the roman emperor, had issued
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  • A decree that a census should be taken of the entire world for
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  • The purpose of taxation."
  • 00:04:01.164 --> 00:04:03.700
  • Now let's talk about caesar augustus for just a moment.
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  • Did you know this is the only time he's mentioned in
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  • The bible, but he's a well-known figure in secular history?
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  • Now caesar augustus was his title.
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  • Caesar, his position as emperor, augustus was his chosen name,
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  • It means venerable.
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  • The venerable emperor.
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  • His real name, his birth name was octavian.
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  • Now we know about octavian from secular history.
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  • He was the grandnephew of julius caesar, and when julius caesar
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  • Was assassinated, he left his kingdom to his grandnephew,
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  • Octavian.
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  • Octavian ruled rome from 27 bc until ad 14.
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  • He did a number of notable things.
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  • He's probably best known for establishing the pax romana,
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  • The roman peace throughout the world.
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  • But as often happens, this successful ruler began to
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  • Believe his own press clippings, and so he gave himself another
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  • Title, pontifex maximus, highest priest.
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  • And he commanded that the entire kingdom begin to engage in
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  • Emperor worship.
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  • Now this was caesar augustus, and at this particular time in
  • 00:05:19.942 --> 00:05:24.747
  • History, the government in rome faced a very familiar problem,
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  • They were spending more money than they were taking in.
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  • Sound familiar?
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  • Have you ever noticed how government when that happens,
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  • They never think about cutting expenses.
  • 00:05:37.960 --> 00:05:40.797
  • The knee jerk reaction is what caesar augustus reaction was,
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  • "let's raise taxes."
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  • And so in order to tax the world to tax the empire, there were no
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  • Irs computers back then to track people down like dogs
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  • And make them pay.
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  • No, instead, if you were gonna get tax money from people, you
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  • Had to know who the people were.
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  • So he had to have them registered in order to be able
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  • To tax them.
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  • Now, the roman government was very methodical in how they were
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  • Gonna conduct this census.
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  • The head of each household would go back to the place
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  • Of his birth where the family records were kept,
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  • In order to register for the census.
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  • So if you were a of household and you lived in nazareth but
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  • Were born in jerusalem, you'd go to jerusalem.
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  • If you lived in jerusalem but were born in nazareth,
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  • You'd go the opposite direction.
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  • And this is where we see joseph and mary,
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  • This couple we met last time.
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  • Joseph was the head of the household and so he was
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  • Commanded to go to the place of his birth.
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  • He lived in nazareth, but he was commanded to go to his
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  • Birthplace, which was bethlehem.
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  • Look at verses 4 and 5.
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  • "and joseph also went up from galilee."
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  • Wait a minute, galilee is in the north, bethlehem's 80 miles to
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  • The south, what do you mean he went up from galilee?
  • 00:07:01.978 --> 00:07:05.948
  • He's talking about the elevation.
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  • Even though galilee was in the north, if you traveled
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  • Southward, you were really going up in elevation as you came
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  • Towards jerusalem and bethlehem.
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  • "and joseph also went up from galilee from the city of
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  • Nazareth."
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  • That's up in the north, down to the south, "to judea, to the
  • 00:07:23.466 --> 00:07:25.801
  • City of david which is called bethlehem, because he was of the
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  • House and family of david, in order to register along with
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  • Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child."
  • 00:07:35.878 --> 00:07:41.250
  • Remember last time the angel had just come, gabriel to mary and
  • 00:07:41.250 --> 00:07:44.420
  • Said, "you're going to give birth to the savior."
  • 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:46.756
  • Now we've skipped about eight or nine months and now at this
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  • Point mary is pregnant, very pregnant and they're on their
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  • Way to bethlehem.
  • 00:07:55.097 --> 00:07:57.233
  • Now the question is, why does luke refer mary as the one who
  • 00:07:57.233 --> 00:08:01.771
  • Was engaged to joseph?
  • 00:08:01.771 --> 00:08:04.840
  • Remember the angel told joseph what had happened and told him
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  • To go ahead and marry mary.
  • 00:08:09.412 --> 00:08:13.049
  • The fact was they had been betrothed engaged, but once
  • 00:08:13.049 --> 00:08:16.419
  • Joseph got the word, he took mary as his wife.
  • 00:08:16.419 --> 00:08:19.855
  • Why does luke now nine months later say they were simply
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  • Engaged?
  • 00:08:22.525 --> 00:08:23.926
  • I think the reason is found in matthew 1:25.
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  • Remember the bible says that joseph kept mary a virgin until
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  • She gave birth to a son.
  • 00:08:31.901 --> 00:08:34.537
  • Even though by this time they had gone through the marriage
  • 00:08:34.537 --> 00:08:36.539
  • Ceremony, they were still living like an engaged couple.
  • 00:08:36.539 --> 00:08:40.576
  • They had not had a sexual relationship and would not until
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  • Jesus was born.
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  • That's why he refers to mary as joseph's
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  • Fiancé rather than wife.
  • 00:08:50.886 --> 00:08:53.255
  • Now, the question comes up, why did mary go with joseph
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  • To bethlehem?
  • 00:08:57.760 --> 00:08:59.195
  • The law only required joseph to be the one to go to bethlehem.
  • 00:08:59.195 --> 00:09:02.865
  • Why would mary, about to deliver a child, ride on the back
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  • Of a donkey for 85 miles down to bethlehem?
  • 00:09:07.603 --> 00:09:12.642
  • Well, i think there are three reasons.
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  • The first reason is the obvious reason because she was so close
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  • To birth, joseph didn't wanna leave her by her herself.
  • 00:09:17.413 --> 00:09:21.283
  • Second reason is, mary had been the subject of some very vicious
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  • Rumors about her pregnancy.
  • 00:09:26.055 --> 00:09:27.890
  • Remember the story was going around, that mary's pregnancy
  • 00:09:27.890 --> 00:09:31.694
  • Was not divine, it was the result of a one night stand with
  • 00:09:31.694 --> 00:09:35.231
  • A roman soldier named panthera.
  • 00:09:35.231 --> 00:09:37.833
  • And joseph wanted to spare her all of this small town gossip,
  • 00:09:37.833 --> 00:09:41.103
  • So he took her with him.
  • 00:09:41.103 --> 00:09:43.906
  • But the third reason that mary went is perhaps the most
  • 00:09:43.906 --> 00:09:47.810
  • Important reason.
  • 00:09:47.810 --> 00:09:49.512
  • Seven hundred years earlier, god had prophesied through a prophet
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  • Named micah, these words found in micah 5:2.
  • 00:09:55.351 --> 00:09:59.622
  • "but as for you, bethlehem ephrathah, too little to be
  • 00:09:59.622 --> 00:10:04.126
  • Among the clans of judah, from you one will go forth
  • 00:10:04.126 --> 00:10:08.664
  • For me to be ruler in israel.
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  • His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."
  • 00:10:11.701 --> 00:10:16.238
  • God had predicted the exact place of the messiah's birth.
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  • It would be in this little town of bethlehem.
  • 00:10:20.176 --> 00:10:24.113
  • So for that to be fulfilled, mary had to go to bethlehem to
  • 00:10:24.113 --> 00:10:28.918
  • Bring this thing to pass.
  • 00:10:28.918 --> 00:10:31.087
  • Bethlehem was such a small town, it wasn't even listed in
  • 00:10:31.087 --> 00:10:34.323
  • The registry of towns found in joshua 15 or nehemiah 11.
  • 00:10:34.323 --> 00:10:40.062
  • Now what i want you to think about for a moment is how god
  • 00:10:40.062 --> 00:10:42.932
  • Used natural events to bring about his supernatural plan.
  • 00:10:42.932 --> 00:10:48.571
  • Think about this, with one stroke of the pen
  • 00:10:48.571 --> 00:10:51.574
  • Caesar augustus, hundreds of miles away,
  • 00:10:51.574 --> 00:10:54.744
  • The most powerful man in the world,
  • 00:10:54.744 --> 00:10:56.712
  • With one stroke of his pen, he signed an edict
  • 00:10:56.712 --> 00:10:59.782
  • That would have ramifications he could have never imagined.
  • 00:10:59.782 --> 00:11:03.652
  • Little did caesar know that when he signed that order, it would
  • 00:11:03.652 --> 00:11:07.656
  • Cause a man named joseph whom he had never met, to travel to a
  • 00:11:07.656 --> 00:11:12.194
  • Little village called bethlehem, augustus had never heard of,
  • 00:11:12.194 --> 00:11:17.133
  • In order that joseph's wife might give birth to the king
  • 00:11:17.133 --> 00:11:21.337
  • Of the universe.
  • 00:11:21.337 --> 00:11:23.305
  • A king whose followers within just a few hundred years would
  • 00:11:23.305 --> 00:11:27.243
  • Topple the entire roman empire.
  • 00:11:27.243 --> 00:11:30.613
  • Isn't that an amazing thought?
  • 00:11:30.613 --> 00:11:33.082
  • You ask people on the street at that time, "who is the most
  • 00:11:33.082 --> 00:11:35.651
  • Powerful man in the world?"
  • 00:11:35.651 --> 00:11:37.386
  • There wouldn't have been any argument, everyone would've said
  • 00:11:37.386 --> 00:11:40.289
  • Octavian, caesar augustus, why?
  • 00:11:40.289 --> 00:11:43.425
  • Of course he is the most important person in
  • 00:11:43.425 --> 00:11:46.061
  • All of the world.
  • 00:11:46.061 --> 00:11:47.496
  • The truth is, he was nothing but pawn on god's chess board.
  • 00:11:47.496 --> 00:11:52.234
  • God used him to do something he had no idea would result in the
  • 00:11:52.234 --> 00:11:57.439
  • Birth of the king of kings and lord of lords.
  • 00:11:57.439 --> 00:12:01.210
  • And isn't it amazing that today if you stop people on the street
  • 00:12:01.210 --> 00:12:06.182
  • And you ask them who was octavian?
  • 00:12:06.182 --> 00:12:09.385
  • There's not one in a hundred who could tell you who octavian is.
  • 00:12:09.385 --> 00:12:13.222
  • Most people can't tell you who the president of
  • 00:12:13.222 --> 00:12:14.557
  • The united states is.
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  • I mean people are so stupid today, but that's another story.
  • 00:12:16.592 --> 00:12:19.962
  • Nobody can tell you, one in a hundred could tell you who
  • 00:12:19.962 --> 00:12:23.265
  • Octavian is.
  • 00:12:23.265 --> 00:12:24.934
  • But 2000 years later, everybody knows the name of jesus christ.
  • 00:12:24.934 --> 00:12:30.472
  • I mean, think about this, think about this.
  • 00:12:30.472 --> 00:12:32.608
  • How many people do you know right now that are gathered
  • 00:12:32.608 --> 00:12:35.845
  • Together someplace in the world worshiping, praying to, singing
  • 00:12:35.845 --> 00:12:41.350
  • Songs about octavian?
  • 00:12:41.350 --> 00:12:44.787
  • Do you know anybody who's doing that?
  • 00:12:44.787 --> 00:12:47.122
  • But today, hundreds of millions of people around the world
  • 00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:51.627
  • 2000 years later are worshiping the name of jesus christ.
  • 00:12:51.627 --> 00:12:56.699
  • Some of them are paying a heavy price to do so.
  • 00:12:56.699 --> 00:13:00.369
  • What i want you to see is, god uses natural events to bring
  • 00:13:00.369 --> 00:13:04.506
  • About his supernatural plan.
  • 00:13:04.506 --> 00:13:06.742
  • You know, you open the newspaper today, turn on the television
  • 00:13:06.742 --> 00:13:09.078
  • Set, you think the world is spinning out of control,
  • 00:13:09.078 --> 00:13:14.216
  • Terrorist threats, political upheaval, increasing tensions
  • 00:13:14.216 --> 00:13:17.920
  • In the middle east, we think the world is out of control.
  • 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:20.689
  • It's not out of control.
  • 00:13:20.689 --> 00:13:22.424
  • As a.p. pearson says, "history is really his story."
  • 00:13:22.424 --> 00:13:28.130
  • It's the story of jesus christ.
  • 00:13:28.130 --> 00:13:30.399
  • And as god said through jeremiah the prophet, "i am watching over
  • 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:34.103
  • My word to perform it."
  • 00:13:34.103 --> 00:13:37.439
  • Act i of this play began in rome; act ii, we go to a small
  • 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:42.411
  • Inn in bethlehem.
  • 00:13:42.411 --> 00:13:44.980
  • Look at verses 6 and 7.
  • 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:47.283
  • "and it came about that while they were there,
  • 00:13:47.283 --> 00:13:50.219
  • The days were completed for mary to give birth.
  • 00:13:50.219 --> 00:13:53.856
  • And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped
  • 00:13:53.856 --> 00:13:57.293
  • Him in cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was
  • 00:13:57.293 --> 00:14:01.597
  • No room for them in the inn."
  • 00:14:01.597 --> 00:14:05.334
  • Isn't it interesting?
  • 00:14:05.334 --> 00:14:06.669
  • Only two verses record the most important birth in history.
  • 00:14:06.669 --> 00:14:11.540
  • Ken geier, a gifted author in his book, "intimate moments with
  • 00:14:11.540 --> 00:14:14.977
  • The savior," uses his sanctified imagination to paint a picture
  • 00:14:14.977 --> 00:14:19.415
  • For us of what that experience must have been like.
  • 00:14:19.415 --> 00:14:22.785
  • Listen to this.
  • 00:14:22.785 --> 00:14:24.687
  • "by the time mary and joseph arrive, the small hamlet of
  • 00:14:24.687 --> 00:14:28.791
  • Bethlehem is swollen from an influx of travelers.
  • 00:14:28.791 --> 00:14:33.062
  • The inn is packed.
  • 00:14:33.062 --> 00:14:34.563
  • People feeling lucky if they were able to negotiate even
  • 00:14:34.563 --> 00:14:37.433
  • A small space on the floor.
  • 00:14:37.433 --> 00:14:40.169
  • Now it is late.
  • 00:14:40.169 --> 00:14:41.570
  • Everyone is asleep and there is no room.
  • 00:14:41.570 --> 00:14:45.541
  • But fortunately, the innkeeper is not all about
  • 00:14:45.541 --> 00:14:47.843
  • Shackles and mites.
  • 00:14:47.843 --> 00:14:50.245
  • True, his stable is crowded with his guests animals, but if they
  • 00:14:50.245 --> 00:14:54.116
  • Could squeeze out a little privacy there, mary
  • 00:14:54.116 --> 00:14:56.485
  • And joseph were welcome to it.
  • 00:14:56.485 --> 00:14:59.254
  • Joseph looks over at mary whose attention is concentrated
  • 00:14:59.254 --> 00:15:02.992
  • On fighting a contraction.
  • 00:15:02.992 --> 00:15:05.260
  • "we'll take it," he tells the innkeeper without hesitation.
  • 00:15:05.260 --> 00:15:09.798
  • The night is still when joseph creeks open a stable door.
  • 00:15:09.798 --> 00:15:14.236
  • As he does a chorus of barn animals make and respond with
  • 00:15:14.236 --> 00:15:19.341
  • A note of the intrusion.
  • 00:15:19.341 --> 00:15:21.577
  • The stench is pungent and humid as there have not been enough
  • 00:15:21.577 --> 00:15:25.047
  • Hours in the day for the innkeeper to tend the guests,
  • 00:15:25.047 --> 00:15:28.450
  • Let alone the livestock.
  • 00:15:28.450 --> 00:15:31.020
  • A small oil lamp lent them by the innkeeper flickers to dance
  • 00:15:31.020 --> 00:15:35.024
  • Shadows on the walls.
  • 00:15:35.024 --> 00:15:37.159
  • A disquieting place for a woman in the throes of
  • 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:39.595
  • Childbirth, far from home, far from family, far from what she
  • 00:15:39.595 --> 00:15:45.934
  • Had expected for her firstborn.
  • 00:15:45.934 --> 00:15:49.505
  • But mary makes no complaint, it is a relief just to finally get
  • 00:15:49.505 --> 00:15:53.075
  • Off the donkey.
  • 00:15:53.075 --> 00:15:55.010
  • She leans back against the wall, her feet swollen, back aching,
  • 00:15:55.010 --> 00:15:59.715
  • Contractions growing stronger and closer together.
  • 00:15:59.715 --> 00:16:03.118
  • Josephs' eyes dart around the stable, not a minute to lose,
  • 00:16:03.118 --> 00:16:08.023
  • Quickly a feeding trough would have to make for a crib.
  • 00:16:08.023 --> 00:16:12.895
  • Hay would serve as a mattress.
  • 00:16:12.895 --> 00:16:16.398
  • Blankets, blankets, oh his robe would do.
  • 00:16:16.398 --> 00:16:20.903
  • And those rags hung out to dry would help.
  • 00:16:20.903 --> 00:16:24.139
  • A gripping contraction, doubles mary over and sends him racing
  • 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:27.709
  • For a bucket of water, a scream from mary knifes through
  • 00:16:27.709 --> 00:16:32.247
  • The calm of that silent night.
  • 00:16:32.247 --> 00:16:34.883
  • Joseph returns breathless water sloshing from the wooden bucket.
  • 00:16:34.883 --> 00:16:40.489
  • Sweat pours from mary's contorted face, as joseph,
  • 00:16:40.489 --> 00:16:44.927
  • The most unlikely midwife in judea rushes to her side.
  • 00:16:44.927 --> 00:16:50.466
  • The involuntary contractions are not enough and mary has to push
  • 00:16:50.466 --> 00:16:55.537
  • With all of her strength.
  • 00:16:55.537 --> 00:16:57.639
  • Joseph places a garment beneath her and with a final push
  • 00:16:57.639 --> 00:17:02.478
  • And a long sigh, her labor is over, the messiah has arrived."
  • 00:17:02.478 --> 00:17:09.852
  • You know, i think cs lewis had it right when he said,
  • 00:17:13.956 --> 00:17:19.328
  • "the greatest miracle of all time is not the atonement
  • 00:17:19.328 --> 00:17:24.266
  • Or even the resurrection.
  • 00:17:24.266 --> 00:17:26.435
  • The greatest miracle is the incarnation,
  • 00:17:26.435 --> 00:17:30.539
  • God becoming flesh."
  • 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:34.309
  • Max lucado says it this way, "stepping from the throne,
  • 00:17:34.309 --> 00:17:38.914
  • God removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in skin,
  • 00:17:38.914 --> 00:17:43.952
  • Pigmented human skin.
  • 00:17:43.952 --> 00:17:46.622
  • The light of the world entered a dark wet womb.
  • 00:17:46.622 --> 00:17:51.093
  • He whom angels worship, nestled himself in the placenta of
  • 00:17:51.093 --> 00:17:56.265
  • A peasant, was birthed into a cold night and then slept
  • 00:17:56.265 --> 00:18:01.170
  • On cow's hay."
  • 00:18:01.170 --> 00:18:04.006
  • An interviewer once asked the famed designer, versace if he
  • 00:18:04.006 --> 00:18:08.143
  • Believed in god.
  • 00:18:08.143 --> 00:18:10.245
  • Versace responded, "yes, i believe in god, but i'm not
  • 00:18:10.245 --> 00:18:13.782
  • The kind of religious person who goes to church, who believes in
  • 00:18:13.782 --> 00:18:17.819
  • The fairy tale of jesus born in the stable with a donkey.
  • 00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:22.624
  • I'm not stupid.
  • 00:18:22.624 --> 00:18:24.359
  • I can't believe that god with all the power that he has,
  • 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:27.663
  • Would have to have himself born in a stable.
  • 00:18:27.663 --> 00:18:30.866
  • It wouldn't have been comfortable."
  • 00:18:30.866 --> 00:18:35.571
  • But that's the whole point, isn't it?
  • 00:18:35.571 --> 00:18:38.373
  • That god was willing to give up the comfort of heaven.
  • 00:18:38.373 --> 00:18:42.444
  • He in the person of his son, jesus was willing to come to
  • 00:18:42.444 --> 00:18:45.547
  • Earth, to be born in the most humble circumstances, and he
  • 00:18:45.547 --> 00:18:48.617
  • Came not to be worshiped, not at the beginning anyway.
  • 00:18:48.617 --> 00:18:53.322
  • He came to be sacrificed for our sins.
  • 00:18:53.322 --> 00:18:57.593
  • Paul said it this way, in philippians 2,
  • 00:18:57.593 --> 00:18:59.561
  • In talking about jesus christ.
  • 00:18:59.561 --> 00:19:01.296
  • "although he existed in the form of god, did not regard equality
  • 00:19:01.296 --> 00:19:06.301
  • With god a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the
  • 00:19:06.301 --> 00:19:10.606
  • Form of a bond-servant, and being made
  • 00:19:10.606 --> 00:19:13.242
  • In the likeness of men.
  • 00:19:13.242 --> 00:19:15.410
  • Being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
  • 00:19:15.410 --> 00:19:19.648
  • By becoming obedient to the point of death,
  • 00:19:19.648 --> 00:19:22.684
  • Even death on a cross."
  • 00:19:22.684 --> 00:19:26.054
  • The final act of this play occurs on a hill
  • 00:19:26.054 --> 00:19:29.858
  • Outside of bethlehem.
  • 00:19:29.858 --> 00:19:31.493
  • Look at verse 8.
  • 00:19:31.493 --> 00:19:33.562
  • "and in the same region there were some shepherds staying out
  • 00:19:33.562 --> 00:19:37.499
  • In the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night."
  • 00:19:37.499 --> 00:19:43.171
  • They were not, as some children say, washing their socks by
  • 00:19:43.171 --> 00:19:46.041
  • Night, they were keeping watch over their flock by night.
  • 00:19:46.041 --> 00:19:50.112
  • Many of us have been to this place, shepherds field where
  • 00:19:50.112 --> 00:19:53.815
  • This occurred.
  • 00:19:53.815 --> 00:19:55.384
  • The shepherds were tending their sheep.
  • 00:19:55.384 --> 00:19:57.119
  • Now, most people don't realize this story probably did not take
  • 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:59.888
  • Place in december, it was probably very close
  • 00:19:59.888 --> 00:20:02.457
  • To passover time.
  • 00:20:02.457 --> 00:20:04.226
  • It's very probable that these shepherds were taking care of
  • 00:20:04.226 --> 00:20:07.029
  • Sheep that would soon become the passover lambs that would be
  • 00:20:07.029 --> 00:20:11.366
  • Used as a representative of the coming savior.
  • 00:20:11.366 --> 00:20:15.637
  • Now you have to know something about shepherds to appreciate
  • 00:20:15.637 --> 00:20:18.407
  • What is going on here.
  • 00:20:18.407 --> 00:20:19.941
  • Shepherds represented the lowest rung in the jewish culture.
  • 00:20:19.941 --> 00:20:25.247
  • Shepherds took care of dirty and smelly sheep, and because they
  • 00:20:25.247 --> 00:20:30.585
  • Did so, they were dirty and smelly themselves.
  • 00:20:30.585 --> 00:20:34.523
  • There was no sure deodorant back then to take the stench away.
  • 00:20:34.523 --> 00:20:39.261
  • So if you were gonna have a party, guess who you would never
  • 00:20:39.261 --> 00:20:42.798
  • Invite to your party?
  • 00:20:42.798 --> 00:20:44.433
  • They never made it to any a-list parties, the shepherds,
  • 00:20:44.433 --> 00:20:46.668
  • They were the outcast of jewish society.
  • 00:20:46.668 --> 00:20:49.838
  • Isn't it interesting that god chose to make his announcement
  • 00:20:49.838 --> 00:20:54.810
  • Of the savior's birth, not to the political leaders in rome,
  • 00:20:54.810 --> 00:20:58.347
  • Not to the jewish leaders in jerusalem, he chose to make
  • 00:20:58.347 --> 00:21:01.516
  • This announcement to the smelly dirty shepherds.
  • 00:21:01.516 --> 00:21:06.855
  • Look at how it came about. verse 9.
  • 00:21:06.855 --> 00:21:09.591
  • "and an angel of the lord suddenly stood before them,
  • 00:21:09.591 --> 00:21:13.161
  • And the glory of the lord shone around them;
  • 00:21:13.161 --> 00:21:15.630
  • And they were terribly frightened."
  • 00:21:15.630 --> 00:21:17.599
  • I would think so.
  • 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.967
  • Imagine out there in the darkness when suddenly gabriel
  • 00:21:18.967 --> 00:21:22.337
  • Appears and gabriel said to them, "do not be afraid."
  • 00:21:22.337 --> 00:21:27.275
  • Notice how that's his entering line, every time he runs into
  • 00:21:27.275 --> 00:21:30.312
  • Somebody, "don't be afraid."
  • 00:21:30.312 --> 00:21:32.614
  • They had every right to be afraid.
  • 00:21:32.614 --> 00:21:34.449
  • "for behold, i bring you good news of great joy which will be
  • 00:21:34.449 --> 00:21:38.320
  • For all the people; for today in the city of david there has been
  • 00:21:38.320 --> 00:21:42.491
  • Born for you a savior, who is christ the lord."
  • 00:21:42.491 --> 00:21:47.562
  • Well, there were many babies probably born that night in
  • 00:21:47.562 --> 00:21:51.099
  • Jerusalem, in all of israel.
  • 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:53.502
  • So to be more specific, he gave the sign verse 12, "this will be
  • 00:21:53.502 --> 00:21:57.038
  • A sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying
  • 00:21:57.038 --> 00:22:01.476
  • In a manger."
  • 00:22:01.476 --> 00:22:03.779
  • And suddenly the single voice of gabriel gave way to a multitude,
  • 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:08.383
  • Thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of angels in the
  • 00:22:08.383 --> 00:22:11.286
  • Heaven saying verse 14, "glory to god in the highest, and on
  • 00:22:11.286 --> 00:22:16.625
  • Earth peace."
  • 00:22:16.625 --> 00:22:20.629
  • Now, if you have the king james version, it says, "peace, good
  • 00:22:20.629 --> 00:22:24.633
  • Will toward men."
  • 00:22:24.633 --> 00:22:26.701
  • That's a very unfortunate translation, even though it's
  • 00:22:26.701 --> 00:22:30.138
  • The translation we're used to and we see plastered on
  • 00:22:30.138 --> 00:22:32.741
  • Christmas cards everywhere, "peace, goodwill toward men."
  • 00:22:32.741 --> 00:22:37.112
  • That makes it sound like god is simply giving a generic blessing
  • 00:22:37.112 --> 00:22:40.315
  • To everybody.
  • 00:22:40.315 --> 00:22:41.950
  • "peace you all, goodwill to everybody."
  • 00:22:41.950 --> 00:22:45.587
  • That's not what the text says.
  • 00:22:45.587 --> 00:22:48.356
  • What the text really says, is what the new american standard
  • 00:22:48.356 --> 00:22:51.226
  • Translates at, "peace among men with whom god is pleased."
  • 00:22:51.226 --> 00:22:58.733
  • Ladies and gentlemen, the only people who are at peace with god
  • 00:22:58.733 --> 00:23:02.804
  • And peace with themselves, are those who have accepted
  • 00:23:02.804 --> 00:23:06.775
  • The forgiveness that christ comes to offer.
  • 00:23:06.775 --> 00:23:09.478
  • Romans 5:1 says, "therefore, having been justified by faith,
  • 00:23:09.478 --> 00:23:14.950
  • We have peace with god through our lord jesus christ."
  • 00:23:14.950 --> 00:23:21.556
  • Jeffress: we're just getting started in this important study
  • 00:23:25.727 --> 00:23:27.996
  • Of luke chapter 2, as we revisit
  • 00:23:27.996 --> 00:23:30.632
  • The familiar story of our lord's birth.
  • 00:23:30.632 --> 00:23:33.802
  • Well, i want to share how grateful i am for friends like
  • 00:23:33.802 --> 00:23:37.239
  • You who have given above and beyond to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:37.239 --> 00:23:41.243
  • Our television, radio, and digital streaming
  • 00:23:41.243 --> 00:23:44.212
  • Outreach is shining the light of god's word in the far corners
  • 00:23:44.212 --> 00:23:47.716
  • Of our country and even around the world.
  • 00:23:47.716 --> 00:23:50.819
  • But our mission to light the darkness is never complete.
  • 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:54.389
  • As jesus said in matthew 5 verses 14 to 16,
  • 00:23:54.389 --> 00:23:58.793
  • "you are the light of the world.
  • 00:23:58.793 --> 00:24:01.263
  • Let your light shine before men
  • 00:24:01.263 --> 00:24:03.298
  • In such a way that they may see your good works
  • 00:24:03.298 --> 00:24:06.067
  • And glorify your father in heaven."
  • 00:24:06.067 --> 00:24:08.837
  • And on this giving tuesday i'm asking every one
  • 00:24:08.837 --> 00:24:12.073
  • Of our faithful viewers to let your light shine by giving
  • 00:24:12.073 --> 00:24:15.744
  • Generously toward the "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:15.744 --> 00:24:18.246
  • Light the darkness matching challenge.
  • 00:24:18.246 --> 00:24:21.316
  • The best part is, your gift between now and december 31st
  • 00:24:21.316 --> 00:24:25.287
  • Will be matched and therefore doubled in impact
  • 00:24:25.287 --> 00:24:28.356
  • Because of this matching challenge.
  • 00:24:28.356 --> 00:24:30.892
  • Please take this special occasion to help
  • 00:24:30.892 --> 00:24:33.395
  • Light the darkness and bring the hope of christ
  • 00:24:33.395 --> 00:24:36.431
  • To all who need it by supporting the ministry
  • 00:24:36.431 --> 00:24:39.668
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:39.668 --> 00:24:41.036
  • I look forward to hearing from you today.
  • 00:24:41.036 --> 00:24:43.672
  • Now stay right there i'll be back in just a moment
  • 00:24:43.672 --> 00:24:46.308
  • With more "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:46.308 --> 00:24:48.944
  • Announcer: the one thing god wants more than
  • 00:24:51.046 --> 00:24:53.014
  • Anything else in this world is time with you.
  • 00:24:53.014 --> 00:24:56.084
  • Make god your priority by spending quality time
  • 00:24:56.084 --> 00:24:59.321
  • In his word with the brand-new 2025
  • 00:24:59.321 --> 00:25:01.756
  • "'pathway to victory' daily devotional."
  • 00:25:01.756 --> 00:25:04.059
  • This year's devotional has a beautiful navy blue leather
  • 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:06.728
  • Cover with inlaid brown and gold foil accents.
  • 00:25:06.728 --> 00:25:09.264
  • And now with larger print, the 260 practical insights
  • 00:25:09.264 --> 00:25:13.001
  • From dr. robert jeffress are easier to read.
  • 00:25:13.001 --> 00:25:15.270
  • This stunning 532 page devotional makes an ideal
  • 00:25:15.270 --> 00:25:18.840
  • Christmas gift for loved ones
  • 00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:20.308
  • Who want to grow in their faith too.
  • 00:25:20.308 --> 00:25:22.444
  • Jeffress: of all the ways god could have revealed himself
  • 00:25:22.510 --> 00:25:25.046
  • To us, he chose to do it through the written word.
  • 00:25:25.046 --> 00:25:28.650
  • And that's why it's so important for you and for me to set aside
  • 00:25:28.650 --> 00:25:31.987
  • Regular time to read the word of god.
  • 00:25:31.987 --> 00:25:35.590
  • Announcer: every season carries an uplifting theme.
  • 00:25:35.657 --> 00:25:38.293
  • Begin the new year by exploring god's will for your life.
  • 00:25:38.293 --> 00:25:42.864
  • In spring and summer, grow stronger in christ
  • 00:25:42.864 --> 00:25:45.500
  • With insights from colossians.
  • 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:47.369
  • And in the fall and winter, embrace the father who loves you
  • 00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:50.505
  • With inspirational readings based on the parable
  • 00:25:50.505 --> 00:25:53.141
  • Of the prodigal son.
  • 00:25:53.141 --> 00:25:55.210
  • When the day-to-day problems of life feel overwhelming, take
  • 00:25:55.210 --> 00:25:58.380
  • A moment to anchor yourself in the calming truth of god's word
  • 00:25:58.380 --> 00:26:01.583
  • With the brand new 2025 "pathway to victory" daily devotional.
  • 00:26:01.583 --> 00:26:05.920
  • Your gift of support not only provides you with this life
  • 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:09.524
  • Giving resource, it empowers us to spread the hope filled
  • 00:26:09.524 --> 00:26:12.494
  • Message of jesus christ as well.
  • 00:26:12.494 --> 00:26:14.696
  • Thank you for supporting the ministry
  • 00:26:14.696 --> 00:26:16.531
  • Of "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:16.531 --> 00:26:19.200
  • Jeffress: the biblical record of jesus's birth
  • 00:26:21.469 --> 00:26:23.471
  • Reads like a carefully scripted play with three distinct acts.
  • 00:26:23.471 --> 00:26:28.176
  • And the more you read the bible, the more you realize that every
  • 00:26:28.176 --> 00:26:31.780
  • Chapter in scripture is part of one big story about
  • 00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:35.550
  • God's plan to redeem mankind.
  • 00:26:35.550 --> 00:26:38.386
  • Next time, we'll continue to revisit the dramatic scene
  • 00:26:38.386 --> 00:26:41.756
  • That unfolded on that hill outside of bethlehem.
  • 00:26:41.756 --> 00:26:45.260
  • And we'll identify two crucial responses
  • 00:26:45.260 --> 00:26:48.963
  • To god's indescribable gift of salvation.
  • 00:26:48.963 --> 00:26:52.734
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
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  • In our series, "reigniting your passion for christ."
  • 00:26:55.170 --> 00:26:59.274
  • Jeffress: the one thing, the only thing, you and i were
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  • Left on earth to do, and that is to share the good news of
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  • Jesus christ with as many people as possible before he returns.
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  • God's message is to be shared and not kept.
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  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two
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  • Of the message "back to bethlehem"
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  • Here on "pathway to victory."
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